Casey Design Club: Week 4

This week we got hands on with the casey students as they were asked to plan out or design their ideal community. Specifically, we instructed the kids on sustainable elements around communities and tried to get them thinking in that mindset for the project. We formed multiple groups and set out on designing our communities. There were some interesting ideas that came about, such as solar powered soccer posts, and duel or multi use fields that could contain both soccer, as well as football, and be used as a track/alternative field. It was interesting to see the strong tie between the students and the outdoors and recreational areas. In the William Shutkin lecture, he discussed that many young people tend to have a sense of place, or attachment to areas of the outdoors where they are able to engage in activities they are intersted in. I feel like this week at Casey went over alot smoother and with a greater, more positive outcome, than previous weeks. The six students we had all enjoyed designing their communities, and seemed to learn a little more about sustainable planning and basics from this activity. Next week looks promising also, as we are going to get more into design with the students.

Also this week was the first of our three sessions with Columbine Elementary School here in Boulder. Wednesday, we were able to work with a handful of elementary participants, with each ofthe four CU Students being paired with at least two little helpers. Our first project with Columbine was to create a model city, one in which there were both sustainable elements present as well as one that created a unique space, or sense of place for the people who live there. The students seemed really enthusiastic about working with us, and the model project went down as a success in the books. I'm eager to work again with this group, as many of the participants were already anxious for the next visit, when we can finish up our model communities.

-Ian